Explore the Arts

Under the direction of Joe Bongiovi, the Philadelphia Jazz Orchestra (PJO) brings the best high school and college jazz musicians from the greater Philadelphia and New Jersey region. Founded in 2003 by Joe Bongiovi, Rob Reeve, and Yorgo Papadakis, the group’s schedule has grown to include appearances in clubs and large concert venues across the East coast, as well as a tour to Italy in 2007.

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The group was founded by Andre Thierry and Sean Ardoin, and its mission is to further Louisiana’s Creole music tradition by creating new standards that incorporate the old styles. Creole United is a movement and a band that includes Creole artists from all living generations and styles. Part of the Homegrown: The Music of America concert series.

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Celebrating the release of her third album, Soul Singer, the soul-stirring jazz vocalist and D.C. native captures the blues, soul, R&B, jazz, and pan-African music with lyrics akin to Miriam Makeba, Bob Marley, and Nina Simone.

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The ensemble makes its Millennium Stage debut in a program of familiar jazz standards. The band offers 32 select Monterey County high school students with the opportunity to study and perform a much more advanced level of music than what might be presented in their respective school music programs.

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A Jazz Sound features a jazz quartet led by the award-winning saxophonist, who has performed with Amy Winehouse, G-Unit All Stars, and Joss Stone. Part of YoungArts@KennedyCenter, presented in collaboration with the National YoungArts Foundation.

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Igniting the stage with its fusion of classical and world music flavors, the jazz quintet is joined by Elite String Quartet and vocalist Christie Dashiell for selections from their upcoming album Of the People. Part of DC Jazz Festival.

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Join in a celebration of the centennial year of Frank Sinatra’s birth with the acclaimed Seth Kibel Quintet. Tom Koerner and Debra Sternberg (Gottaswing) lead free swing dance lessons at 5 p.m. After the Let's Be Frank NSO Pops concert, the fun continues 10 p.m.–midnight with more dancing, social photo booths, and cash bars pouring signature cocktails.

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The pianist brings her newest project, a musical homage to jazz pianist, composer, and lyricist Billy Strayhorn, which features a combination of swing and straight-ahead interpretations of rarely heard Strayhorn compositions. Part of East River JazzFest.

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Outstanding young musicians with disabilities, ages 14–25, are recognized, and the four winners—Sophie Graf (harp), Alex Lee (viola), Jordan Lulloff (saxophone), and Amar Moturu (percussion)—get to attend the VSA International Young Soloists Professional Development Weekend and perform on the Millennium Stage.

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The D.C.-born jazz vocalist showcases her contemporary and soulful flair. She is a Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead alum, has appeared on NBC’s The Sing-Off, and has performed with Esperanza Spalding, Smokey Robinson, and others.

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With dual pianos onstage, all-star pianists Jason Moran, Marc Cary (Music Director), Bertha Hope, and Gerald Clayton connect the dots between jazz luminaries with histories in both New York and D.C., including late greats Duke Ellington and Dr. Billy Taylor. In addition, vocalists Queen Esther and Brianna Thomas perform with Howard University’s premier vocal jazz ensemble Afro Blue (directed by Connaitre Miller), mining the rich, related vocal history of the New York and Washington, DC jazz scenes. The evening continues with a ticketed show in The Crossroads Club featuring Jason Moran, Marc Cary, and many others.

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The Cuban quintet, formed by musicians of the YOA Orchestra of the Americas, presents a repertoire of recognized Latin American works with classical arrangements. The program combines the virtuosic elements of classical music, jazz, and American folk tunes.

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The Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors perform both original compositions and works by modern jazz masters. The sextet includes top student composer/performers from Israel, Japan, Korea, Spain, and the United States.

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Under the direction of Mr. Michael Bowie, the talented local ensemble brings its energetic and youthful take on big band jazz. The group’s alumni are graduates of every major music conservatory in America.

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Mississippi-based singer/songwriter Rodgers and Brooklyn-based jazz composer, vocalist, and French hornist McDonald perform original works. Part of Songwriters: The Next Generation, presented by The ASCAP Foundation.

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The Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter/guitarist performs on a double bill with the jazz/soul/R&B group created by keyboardist/bassist Jacob Webb and saxophonist Todd Schefflin for a night of jazz, soul, and great guitar. Part of Songwriters: The Next Generation, presented by The ASCAP Foundation.

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Timba Street sports a modern Cuban salsa-fusion of Son Montuno, Cuban Rumba, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Directed by Havana native Aramis Pazos Barrera and featuring members from different parts of D.C. and the United States, the ensemble strives to inspire its audience to dance while introducing this lesser-known, modern style of Cuban salsa. Leading this dance party is DC Casineros, a world-renowned dance company that performs and teaches Cuban dance styles including Rueda de Casino, Afro-Cuban rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, Danzón, and Yoruba Orisha dance. Free salsa class beginning at 5 p.m. Part of IBERIAN SUITE: global arts remix

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The acclaimed fado singer merges cante alentejano (male chant from southern Portugal with North African influences) with traditional fado, bossa nova, Brazilian popular music, and jazz. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2012 as part of Carnegie's World Views program. Presented in collaboration with Arte Institute.Part of IBERIAN SUITE: global arts remix

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Making his U.S. debut, this nine-year-old pianist and Latin jazz phenom, who is blind, has performed with many great jazz musicians throughout Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru. Both Reuters and the BBC have covered him in international news stories. He is joined on stage by two D.C.-based jazz musicians, Alejandro Lucini on drums and David Jernigan on bass. This performance was made possible through the generous support of the World Bank Group.Part of IBERIAN SUITE: global arts remix

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Two of today's top female Portuguese artists perform a double bill. Songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Sobral's first album, The Cherry on My Cake, went platinum and was nominated for two Golden Globes. Multi-award-winning singer Ribeiro is a past participant of Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead at the Kennedy Center. Presented in collaboration with Arte Institute.Part of IBERIAN SUITE: global arts remix

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Two of Cuba's top jazz pianists perform a lively two-hour marathon concert with one or two onstage at any given time. Pacheco is also a percussionist, composer, and vocalist, while López-Gavilán was born to a family of acclaimed classical musicians. Presented in collaboration with FUNDarte.Begins at 5 p.m. Part of IBERIAN SUITE: global arts remix

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Internationally renowned saxophonist, producer, composer, and ethnomusicologist Moreira Chonguiça makes his U.S. debut as he brings the Moreira Project, featuring Thapelo Motshegwe on keyboard, Kevin Gibson on drums, and Helder Gonzaga on bass. The project was officially launched in 2005 with the debut of Moreira Chonguiça’s debut album, Volume 1: The Journey. The project’s participants represent contemporary African jazz at its best; they’ve performed across Mozambique, South Africa, and Brazil, as well as in several international festivals.

Part of IBERIAN SUITE: global arts remix

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The veteran trombonist, composer, and Grammy nominee has performed and recorded jazz, Latin, Afro-Caribbean, and classical music for more than 35 years. He was recently invited by "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band to lead and direct their first Afro-Caribbean jazz performance in D.C. Part of IBERIAN SUITE: global arts remix

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The Howard University music major and jazz vocalist pays homage to the legendary 1957 recording project, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Songbook, in which Miss Fitzgerald recorded a dozen Billy Strayhorn compositions. The band includes Cyrus Chestnut, piano, Elijah Balbed, saxophones, Eliot Seppa, bass, and Abinnet Berhanu, drums. Presented in collaboration with East River Jazz.

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Three student vocal ensembles present The Many Moods of Ellington. The Mellow Tones, led by pianist and composer Mark Meadows, delights with compelling harmonies and improvisational stylings. The Dukes of Ellington, a young men’s choir (grades 9–12), performs standard literature for men's choirs and is led by Steven M. Allen. Sophisticated Ladies (grades 9–11), led by vocalist Sylvia Twine, offers classical and musical theater selections.